Chapter 3
After brunch was over, Logan asked, “Brian, what can we do for you?”
“Macushla! Not here. C’mon everyone, let’s talk in the living room,” Kieran said, as he got up. “There’s a lot to discuss.”
Brian chuckled to himself as everyone quickly rose and followed the Shaman; no matter how big these wolves were, it was apparent they weren’t going to disagree with him.
Taking a seat near Logan, Brian waited until he received a nod before beginning.
“I have an intruder in my loch and I need help findin’ it.
I have been lookin’ for him since I scented him the day I took the laddies out on my boat, but canna find him. ”
“You use ‘it’ and ‘him’. Why?” asked Logan.
“Because I dinna know what the intruder is,” Brian answered. “Only that it can shift so it can dive deep to the bottom of the loch and then shift back when it’s on land.”
“Do you know what form it has in the water?” asked Slate.
“Naw, I’ve never seen it…only scented it in the water,” Brian replied.
“What about when it’s on land?” asked Zane.
“Naw…I can only find the place where it leaves the water because its scent ends there,” Brian said.
“Does it have the same scent on land as in the water?” asked Colton.
“I dinna know. There’s nae a scent on land…at least none that I found,” Brian said.
“Huh! Have you seen it when it’s on land?” asked Kieran.
“Naw, Shaman, I’ve never seen it on land. I can feel its presence but nae anythin’ else,” Brian replied. “I think he becomes invisible on land.”
“That wouldn’t hide his scent,” Colton said.
“Maybe it has an anti-scent spell like we do,” suggested Zane.
“What spell are you talking about, lover? You smell pretty good to me,” David said with a smile.
“Are you sure? I mean Mystia put one on each of us so our uncle and his goons wouldn’t be able to find us,” said Zane.
“David can smell you,” Kieran said, “because the gods made sure he couldn’t be affected by anything, including witches’ spells, which is why Mystia’s anti-scent spell doesn’t work on him. Your scent is still hidden from everyone else, unless you had her remove it.”
“Good to know that, babe,” Zane grinned at his mate. “One less thing to worry about.”
“Why doesn’t the intruder have a scent? Could it have a spell preventing Brian from picking it up?” asked Dakota.
Pausing a moment to listen to his spirit, Kieran answered, “No, there isn’t a spell but my spirit doesn’t know what’s concealing it.”
“What about footprints? Did you find any at the location where it left the loch?” asked Slate.
Shaking his head in frustration, Brian said, “Naw, nae a one. I dinna know how that can happen.”
Laying a hand on Brian, Kieran sent him some love as he asked, “Why don’t you tell us everything starting with the day you took me and my friends out on the loch?”
Recalling that day, Brian’s cock hardened instantly at the memory of the delicious scent washing over his body as he floated on his back in the loch.
Now, squirming in his seat, hoping to hide his erection, Brian groaned inwardly, closing his eyes, finally accepting what he’d been denying all along—the intruder was his Fated Mate.
How can that be? I’m too auld to have one.
“Brian? Are you all right?” asked David.
Kieran caught Brian’s eye. “I already know about it. Will that make it easier for you to tell us.”
“Ye know it’s my Fated Mate?” Brian asked, in disbelief.
“Yes, my spirit told me,” replied Kieran. “Go ahead, I promise we’ll help you find him.”
“Him? Are you sure?” Brian asked.
“Yes,” Kieran said, softly.
Relieved to know that much at least, Brian began, “I was doing a back float when a passing boat’s wake carryin’ my mate’s scent washed over me.
Shifting, I dove down, searching for it, but twas weak and quickly dissipated.
That night, I searched again and the scent was stronger, but as I followed it, I realized twas at least an hour old.
It led to the shoreline, where I shifted and climbed onto the bank, but there was nae a trace… even though I felt its presence.
“Every night, the same thing happened, even though I went into the water at different times…sometimes early, other times later, but twas always the same...except for last night,” Brian said.
“After cruising the loch, I waited until the sky turned pink before I shifted and climbed aboard my boat. As I headed below, I felt someone watching me and I sensed my mate was somewhere near the marina’s buildings, but still I could nae see him.
” Brian was getting agitated by this time, prompting Kieran to lay a calming hand on him.
After a few moments of silence, the sea serpent continued.
“I decided to search the area lookin’ for a clue to help me figure out who he was, but could nae find anything.
I know he was close by, because I again could feel his stare and sensed his presence,” Brian said, his frustration now evident.
“Please Shaman, I need yer help. I dinna know why my mate is hidin’ from me, but I feel something is amiss and he needs me. ”
“Of course, we’ll help you won’t we, macushla?” Kieran asked, glancing at his mate.
“My mate’s right, Brian,” answered Logan. “Our Alpha regards you as a member of the Blackwood Pack so whatever needs to be done, we’ll do.”
After hearing a chorus of ‘absolutelys’ and ‘count-me-ins’, Brian felt his sea serpent relax, confident his mate would soon be found. “Thank ye, thank ye, I canna tell ye how much I appreciate it,” Brian said, with a sigh of relief.
“So,” Logan then proposed, “I think the first thing is to figure out what shifter can swim and breathe underwater while disappearing when he’s on land. Slate, Ian, any ideas?”
“I haven’t ever heard of a shifter doing that,” answered Slate. “I could ask my research team to look into it.”
“Let’s keep that as an option but, right now, until we know what kind of shifter Brian’s mate is, I think we should keep this to ourselves,” Logan said.
“Sorry, Logan,” said Ian, “I’ve studied every shifter alive today and none of them can do both things.”
“Maybe he’s a myth,” Zane offered.
“But he’s real!” exclaimed Dakota.
“Yes, I know, but maybe we can find a myth or legend that describes a shifter who can do what Brian’s mate can,” Zane insisted. “Just like the stories that described someone like David and Daniel.”
“That’s a great idea,” Kieran said, clapping his hands.
“I’ll do a search,” said Zane.
“Do that, bro,” said Logan, “and I’ll talk to Maximus and Mystia to see if they can shed any light on this shifter.”
“Why don’t we help Brian search?” asked David.
“Yeah,” said Slate, “we can spread out on land while you’re in the loch, Brian. Why don’t we stake out the places where we know he’s left the water?”
“Macushla, we can fly over the loch to look for him,” said Kieran.
Logan nodded, then asked Brian, “Do you know if your mate is ever at the surface?”
The sea serpent thought for a moment before answering. “Canna tell. The scent was auld when I found it and parts of the trail had vanished.”
“Okay,” said Logan, “Kieran and I will fly over the loch tonight while the rest of you will be stationed at the previously known exit points. Since we don’t know what we’re dealing with, I’ll have Groose assign a couple of enforcers to each team.”
“Macushla, Brian’s mate is not a threat!” exclaimed Kieran.
“I know that babe, but he may view us as a threat. I want the enforcers along so it gives us time to explain who we are and why we’re there,” answered Logan. “Do you see anything wrong with that, Brian?”
“Naw, I’m fine with it,” Brian said.
“Good,” replied Logan. “Now we need a map of the loch.”
“I can find one online if I can use a computer,” Zane said.
“Use mine,” offered Logan.
“Are you going to fly us to the different locations, bro?” asked Colton.
“Dinna need to,” interjected Brian. “The spots are all near roads.”
“That’s interesting,” said Logan.
“Why?” asked David.
“Because it explains how Brian’s mate is getting to the loch each night,” answered Slate.
“Ohhh, I see. So we should look for a car parked near the loch?” David asked.
Grinning at his mate, Zane said, “Fucking brilliant, babe.”
“Good point, David,” agreed Logan. “Kieran and I will check that, too.”
Zane pulled up a map on the screen, then looked at Brian. “If you can show me where your mate has been, I can mark it so Logan can assign teams to those locations.”
Brian rose and, walking over to Zane, sat next to him. Looking at the map for a minute, he then pointed to the places his mate had exited the loch so Zane could tag them.
Once that’d been done, Logan asked Zane to send the map to everyone’s phone and began to assign teams to each location. “Take a look,” he said, “and if you have any questions, let’s hear them.”
After reviewing the map, Slate said, “The locations are far apart. Maybe we should go in separate cars; otherwise, half the night will be spent just getting everyone in place.”
“Good idea. I’ll make arrangements with Groose,” replied Logan. “Anything else? No? Then, let’s meet back here at five o’clock.”
~/~/~/~/~
Groaning at the early hour, Steel extricated himself from Jackson’s limbs, and rolled out of bed.
Pulling on a pair of sweatpants, he padded softly out of their bedroom and down the hall to the nursery where he could hear Daniel babbling to himself.
Quietly opening the door, his eyes widened.
Backing up quietly, Steel hustled to his bedroom to wake Jackson, shaking him as he said, “Babe, get up! You gotta see this!”
Batting away Steel’s hand, Jackson murmured, “Stop it!”
“No babe, really, you have to see what Daniel’s doing!”
Opening his eyes, Jackson stared at his mate. “What’s he doing?”
“Babe, please, you’ll want to see this.”
Jackson slid out of bed, taking the pajama pants Steel held out to him. Slipping them on and tying the drawstring, he said, “Okay. I’m up. Show me what Daniel’s doing.” Following his mate out and down to their son’s room, his curiosity grew with each step.
Steel paused outside Daniel’s door and, raising his finger to his lips first, quietly opened it, stepping out of the way so his mate had a clear view.
Giving Steel a quick glance before looking into the room, Jackson saw Daniel on the floor…
talking to a rabbit. Taking several steps toward his son, he realized it was the same rabbit Daniel had talked to when Maximus was demonstrating his grandpup’s unique ability.
Looking back at Steel, Jackson whispered, “How did this rabbit get up here?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Steel went over to Daniel and, sitting down on the floor next to him, asked softly, “Hey, Danny, is this your new friend?”
Grinning, while petting the rabbit, Daniel babbled. “Baba!”
“His name is ‘Baba’?” asked Steel.
Giggling, Daniel shook his head.
“Babe, I think he means rabbit,” Jackson said.
Steel tried again, “Is your friend a rabbit?”
Daniel picked up his friend, hugging him as he said, “Baba, baba.”
Looking at Jackson, Steel said, “Yup, I think he’s saying ‘rabbit’ but how did this bunny get into our son’s room?”
“I don’t know but I think it’s time we have another talk with your father. Maybe Mystia, too. I think our son can do something more than just change his fur color and talk to animals,” Jackson said.
“I agree, but in the meantime, what are we going to do with the ‘baba’?” asked Steel.
“Knock, knock,” Cody’s voice floated in from the hallway. “Jackson, are you in here?” Cody entered, smiling when he saw his brother. “I thought I heard your voice. What are you doing up so early?”
“Steel woke me because he wanted to show me the latest thing Daniel has done,” Jackson said, pointing.
Cody’s eyes widened as he looked at Daniel. “You gave your son a pet? Don’t you think he’s a little young to take care of a rabbit?”
Batting his brother’s arm, Jackson replied, “Of course he’s too young…”
“Then why get him a pet? Are you trying to teach him responsibility?” asked Cody. “Oh, sh...eet, is that something Dylon and I should be doing for Jake and Jessica?”
“Stop Cody, you got it all wrong. We didn’t give him the rabbit. It was here when Steel came in to get Daniel dressed,” Jackson said.
“So who gave him the rabbit?” asked Cody.
“Doesn’t that rabbit look familiar?” Jackson asked.
Studying it more closely, Cody said, “No, not real…oh, my gods…it’s the same one that came to Daniel in the woods!
Wait, I don’t understand…why did you bring it inside?
I don’t know much about rabbits but I don’t think you can keep a wild rabbit as an inside pet.
You do know, bro, you could’ve gotten him one from a pet store. Those rabbits are bred to be pets.”
First opening, then shutting his mouth, Jackson glared at his brother. “You think I’d keep a wild rabbit in captivity? I’m a wolf…I know what it means to be free!”
Cody’s gaze shifted to Steel, whose whole body was shaking with laughter, before it returned to his brother who was, by now, looking pretty pissed.
“Well,” he continued, “if you didn’t bring the rabbit up here, who did?
I know Dylon didn’t and Carson didn’t either.
So that leaves you and Steel. And what’s so freaking funny? ” he snapped at Steel.
Catching his breath, Steel answered, “You…I’m laughing at you.”
“Me?” Cody asked. “Okay, I’m missing something. I swear I didn’t bring that rabbit in here.”
Finally, Jackson couldn’t hold back his laughter at the absurdity of the conversation. “No...no…I know you didn’t but I told you we didn’t either. We don’t know how it got up here but we think Daniel does.”
“Cra...cker, you think he can do something else?” asked Cody.
“It does seem to be the only logical explanation,” Jackson answered, studying his son, before asking Cody, “Wait, why are you up so early?”
“The crew started demolishing the suite next to us and woke up Jake and Jessica. Dylon is taking care of them while I came to see if Daniel was up so I could take him to play with the twins,” said Cody.
“Thanks,” Steel said, “that would be great cause it’ll give me some time to get rid of ‘you know who’ without getting Daniel upset. Give me a minute to change him and then he’s yours.”